Spendor D7.2 Pairing - First Watt F8

Paging @avanti1960 

How loud do you listen in how large a room? (I'd recommend you use a meter or phone app to determine your listening level as one person's "moderate" volume may be another's "loud" or "soft".)

If you are a 90 dB or 100 dB volume listener or using them in a large room you'll probably run out of power.

Example, I have a pair of 88 dB sensitive Ohms that I power with a 20 watt/ch Aegir in a 15' X 24' room. My average loudest volume is 85 dB (C weighted) and have no problem with peaks. However, I do use an active crossover that cuts low bass to the Ohms and have a separate subwoofer. This takes a lot of the power load off the Aegir.

Boy that's going to be a big change in the speaker sound going from Zu to Spendor. I hope you've listened to those before you've bought or are buying

@mlsstl - The room is large and a combination open kitchen/great room ( 23' X27' ) with 10 foot ceilings.  The speakers are on the back wall and either side of a fire place, around 12' apart.  

Listening volumes are somewhat low - jazz, R&B and female vocals.  I get my volume on the Modwright up to 3-4 and its a normal listening level in this room.  I will try an app on my phone - hadn't thought of that! 

@sunshdw I should have mentioned that I am seriously considering the Volti Razz which I have heard and know will fit in.   Another top candidate is the DeVore Gibbon Super Nines which I have also heard. I will hear the Spendor next week but not with an F8.  All sound different than the Zu's and my gut tells me the Spendor may be the outlier due to the power on the F8.  If so I will pass on taking the time to go listen.  Hence wanting to get some thoughts here.  Many thanks .....

How loud do you listen in how large a room? (I’d recommend you use a meter or phone app to determine your listening level as one person’s "moderate" volume may be another’s "loud" or "soft".)

If you are a 90 dB or 100 dB volume listener or using them in a large room you’ll probably run out of power.

I am the original owner of a pair of D7.2’s and agree. With my small 18x14 room I can drive the D7.2’s with my 8 watt Ampsandsound Nautilus but I don’t listen that loud and no doubt part of what I do hear is soft-clipping. But here is the interesting twist-I have a 150 watt tube amp and an 80 watt tube amp and with the D7.2’s I prefer the 8 watt SE Nautilus.

The D7.2’s are a somewhat dry "do-nothing-wrong-but-do-nothing-great" speaker. My guess is that the Nautilus injects a bit of much needed warmth. I bought mine without auditioning from a dealer I trusted who strongly recommended them. My other loudspeakers which I use 9 months of the year are the ones I DID audition first-Devore O/93’s. I originally thought I would switch them out every 6 months. If I had the energy I would sell the D7.2’s. I have no doubt they sound better for other people in different rooms with different set-ups.

All that said, they are an easy to drive loudspeaker and they are certainly very good. I just don't love them as a matter of personal taste. 

I have a system with Spendor D9 speaker and a Pass Labs XA30.8 amp and love the combo...

@norust

I believe there is some risk because the F7 does not double its output at 4 ohms and the D7.2 has impedance dips to 4 ohms at key bass and midbass frequencies. What that means is you essentially have a 13 watt amp which will be challenging at best.

I did run my D7.2 with the Pass XA25 which was an incredble sounding match. The XA25 was measured to output 130 watts at 4 ohms and handled the D7.2 with ease.

I suggest you look for speakers that do not dip below 6 ohms or 8 if possible regardless of sensitivity.  

Something like a Harbeth 30.2 XD or Pure Audio Project Duet 15.

I've owned Spendors and can attest that they have strengths and weaknesses.  Also owned Harbeths.  In the same budget range, you might consider Daedalus Muse speakers.  They have a higher sensitivity, so easily driven.  They are better than any Spendors or Harbeths in my opinion and are capable of being played low or high--will fill the room nicely.  With the right equipment, they will sound beyond their price.  Have Lou build you a pair; you won't regret it and worth the wait.

Here’s a beautiful pair of Verity Audio speakers that would pair well with your amp and likely sound sublime.  They’re a great value at the price and being sold by a Verity dealer.  The downside is that Verity is apparently closing shop, which is probably why they’re being sold so worth asking about future repairs/parts availability.  Given what’s on offer here it may still be worth the risk. 
 

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisb9674-verity-audio-otello-loudspeakers-beautiful-macore-finish-full-range

Thanks to all who responded!  Some fantastic suggestions and very helpful observations.  I am going to take a pass on the Spendors - they just don't seem to be a good fit with my F8 and I have a few other solid choices to evaluate.  My large room and Class A have a big vote in this!  The speakers at this point are my last "add on/upgrade" from my original system.  After this I will give it a bit of a rest,,, at least I say that now 😁

Volti and Devore are safe bets if you are keeping your First Watt amp.  You can add Audio Note and Klipsch into the mix if you need more options.  

Either the Volti, or Klipsch Cornwall 4’s would work very well in a large room, and both would sing with the F8.  I have the CW4’s in a room a little larger than yours and love them!

Volti, Daedelus, DeVore, Klipsch are all good choice, Klipsch will play the loudest.  While you're at it, buy an XA25,. Lots more extra power.  Used $3000

When you said large and open it makes me think less boundary reinforcement and might be better of with something like the Volti or Forte 4. I’ve owned Devores, Verity, Daedalus, Zu Union, and demoed the D7. I really like the Forte but I’m in a less than ideal setup with a lack of side walls. They play really well. FWIW never thought I'd be a Klipsch owner.

3 grand for a used XA-25? Also, if there are no side walls I can only assume you live outside.

@doni @daledeee1 @bjesien - appreciate the thoughtful suggestions.  I have my eye on a pair of Volti Razz.  I would definitely look at the Forte IV's but they are to wide for the tight space on the right side based on furniture layout. 

Plus they wouldn't fly with the wife- low WAF :) factor.  The Razz fit the space and are only 2 inches wider than the Zu's I have.  

I absolutely love my F8 and don't want to part with it at this point.  It sings with my system and I am 100% confident that an upgraded speaker will take it up a level.  When its time the Pass XA 25 would be my choice.  I have spied that on for $3K and doubt it will last. 

@wolf_garcia - yes, check out the X25's on USAM  There are 2 available - $3250 and $3600.  Also note your assumption is incorrect.  System is inside a brick walled house with plenty of room from the side of the speakers to the space leading to the parapet walls, cannon ports and moat.

This is good because if you lived outside you may encounter weather issues. I switch between two amps in my system, a Had Firebottle SEP tube amp and the XA-25. Both are world class (plus an original version Schiit Freya preamp with NOS GE tubes). I have a beloved pair of Capitol Records 75th Anniversary Klipsch Heresy IIIs that sound amazingly good, which I think is due to the titanium mid horn. I've tried ZUs, Sonists, and Heresy IVs and all paled in comparison to the Heresy IIIs. They take up very little space seemingly because they're on the floor pointed up, so that shortness reduces visual impact...2 "Q'" series REL subs complete the sonic pic.

@wolf_garcia  nice set up!  I will get an XA-25 at some point in the future.  Concentrating on the speakers for now. 

I’ve had an F3 powering speakers of similar efficiency. While the F3 is only 18 watts iirc I don’t think that 25 watts will be much different. Anyway, I definitely needed more power than what the F3 could deliver.That being said, music with moderate bass at my LP , about 10-12’, sounded great as long as things were kept in the 80-85 db area